RSP Convention Shock: Only 1,289 Votes Cast as Two-Thirds of Delegates Skip Office Bearer Election

The first general convention of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) in Chitwan has been marked by a striking political anomaly: a massive drop in voter turnout during the election for office bearers. While the party's central committee election earlier drew 2,959 votes, only 1,289 delegates cast ballots in the office-bearer round-a sharp decline of 1,670 votes.

Reports indicate that approximately two-thirds of the delegates did not participate in the voting process. Many attendees left the convention venue before the second round began, significantly skewing the results. Notably, party president and sitting MP Rabi Lamichhane abstained from casting a vote, adding to the controversy surrounding the event.

In the vice-chair race, Sobita Gautam emerged victorious with 789 votes, defeating her closest rival Toshima Karki, who secured 572 votes. Gautam, a former Health Minister and MP from Chitwan 3, now holds a key leadership position within the party.

The election schedule for the convention has already been revised five times, reflecting ongoing logistical challenges and internal coordination issues. Despite the low turnout, the convention is expected to conclude once all remaining office bearers are elected and final results are announced.

This unusual voting pattern raises questions about delegate engagement and internal party dynamics within the RSP, a rising political force that won multiple seats in the 2026 Nepalese general election. As the party continues to build its organizational structure, the low participation in this critical election phase may signal deeper challenges in unifying its diverse membership base.